Somewhere Else Before

Esbjorn Svensson Trio, E.S.T. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005NBZ8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,882 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Somewhere Else Before

2. Dodge The Dodo

3. From Gagarin's Point Of View

4. The Return Of Mohammed

5. The Face Of Love

6. Pavane

7. The Wraith

8. The Chapel

9. In The Face Of Day

10. Spam-Boo-Limbo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richly inventive and melodic jazz, September 10, 2001

By 

William Merrill "eclecticist" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Somewhere Else Before (Audio CD)

Although it might have a tough time living up to the N.Y. Times blurb on its cover ("...a vision of what (jazz) can be"), this CD is my favorite jazz disc of the year. The first time I heard it, I had the same reaction as from my first contact with Pat Metheny and Medeski Martin & Wood's music: here is something new and singular. In fact, the music on "Somewhere Else Before" has some of the same elements as both Metheny and MM&W's stuff -- the soaring, graceful melodicism of Metheny's work with Lyle Mays, plus the exotic constructions and unusual percussion of MM&W -- but the e.s.t. sound is entirely their own. A song such as "Dodge The Dodo" derives much of its uniqueness from the aggresive drumming of Magnus Ostrom (almost a hip-hop rhythm) paired with Esbjorn Svensson's cinematic piano notes. The third member of the trio, Dan Berglund, does things with the bass (acoustic and electric) we haven't heard before. For ex., on "The Face Of Love" his bass wails a call to prayer before doubling the main melody with Svensson's piano. Speaking of Mr. Svensson, his magnificent playing on this CD tells me he will soon be considered alongside people like Brad Mehldau as a top contemporary jazz pianist. On top of everything else, the eleven tunes on the CD (all orginals except one) mark the appearance of a significant new songwriting presence in jazz. They are each intricate beauties that become deeper each time you listen. I wish every jazz fan could hear this disc!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz - the Next Generation, October 27, 2004

By 

Michael Morrison (FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Somewhere Else Before (Audio CD)

E.S.T. coolly combines jazz virtuosity with rock and techno elements to make music that both immediately rewards (the catchy, propulsive "Dodge the Dodo" and the pensively melodic "From Gagarin's Point of View") and fosters repeat listening (hypnotic "The Wraith"). Piano man Esbjorn Svensson pours melodies from his fingers without being overbearing. Bassist Dan Berglund is not content to simply hold down the bottom; he uses the bow and electronic devices to bring his instrument to the forefront. Drummer Magnus Ostrom ties it all together with his battery of percussion. I've read some reviews that deride E.S.T. for their melodic and rhythmic accessibility. What rubbish! Jazz is more than Ornette Coleman. E.S.T.'s killer tunes and obvious musicianship mean more to me than all the 45-minute sax solos in the world. If that's what you like, don't pick up this album. But if you enjoy strong melody, rhythm and musicianship, buy this album (or indeed any of E.S.T.'s albums).

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a hard to get hold of great pianist, October 19, 2001

By 

kamalesh (perth, western australia Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somewhere Else Before (Audio CD)

This album is contains tracks previously released on EST's From Gagarin's Point of View and Good Morning Susie Soho. I love this pianist and the trio as a group and have travelled the world, literally and via the web, to obtain their albums. The playing is lyrical without being sentimental - elements of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. A wonderful use of space, like Ahmad Jamal. It's great to see that at least one album is now available on a mainstream site so EST can get greater exposure. As for the suggestion by another reviewer that Svensson could become as well thought of as Brad Meldhau, I have half a dozen or so albums of each group and play EST much more frequently - all their albums are five stars to me, whereas only one of Meldhau's have impressed me that much. EST is INTERESTING, creative music without being atonal or inaccessibly avante garde. If you like EST, you'll also love another swedish pianist, Lars Jansson who is perhaps sweeter and more melodic, like Bobo Stenson on War Orphans.